OnePlus 2 vs Xiaomi Mi 4: Battle of feature-loaded Android flagships

China-based smartphone startup, OnePlus, is all set to launch its second smartphone later this month. The phone called OnePlus 2 will be a successor to the last year’s flagship killer, the OnePlus One. The company has already revealed quite a few specifications of its upcoming offering that is going to be fully unwrapped on July 27th. It will be first time for a device to be revealed via virtual reality, which anyone can be virtually present to attend the event with an appropriate VR headset.

As the new OnePlus phone will arrive, it will be facing stiff competition from the likes of other Chinese vendors like Xiaomi and MEIZU. Xiaomi’s flagship, the Mi 4 still appears to be a quite a compelling device compared to the OnePlus 2. If you are planning to purchase any one of these, let’s compare their features in the OnePlus 2 vs Xiaomi Mi 4 showdown to find out which one is better.

The Xiaomi Mi 4 offers a classy-build with a stainless steel frame running around the sides. The chamfered edges of the smartphone make it look like an Apple iPhone. At the rear, the device has a glossy back panel with a subtle textured pattern. The phone measures quite sleek 8.9mm around the waist and weighs 149 grams. There’s not much known about the OnePlus 2’s design, though some leaked pictures indicate that it will have the same premium body as its predecessor. It will have an advantage over the Mi 4 with a fingerprint sensor sitting below the rear camera.

Display and OS

The Xiaomi Mi 4 sports a 5-inch full HD display based on One Glass Solution screen technology. The front fascia also sports three backlit capacitive navigation buttons. The device offers an outstanding colour reproduction with a pixel density of 441 ppi. The OnePlus 2 on the other hand is believed to come with a large 5.5-inch full HD or 2K display, which certainly will offer better media experience than the Mi 4. The Mi 4 runs Android KitKat based MIUI 6 ROM, while the OnePlus 2 will run Oxygen OS that is based on Android Lollipop.

Configuration

For the OnePlus 2, the company has decided to go with the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor. It will offer an octa-core CPU, 64-bit computing, and 4K Ultra HD video streaming. As per the brand, it is using an improved v2.1 of the Snapdragon 810 SoC to eliminate heating issues. It is expected to offer a meaty 3GB of RAM and 32GB/64GB of internal storage. The Xiaomi Mi 4 on the other hand features a 2.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, aided by 3GB of RAM and 16GB/64GB of internal memory. So on the paper, the OnePlus 2 will offer better performance over the Mi 4.

Camera

For imaging, the Xiaomi Mi 4 sports a 13MP primary shooter with f/1.8 aperture, an LED flash, and 4K video recording. For selfies, the phone offers an 8MP secondary snapper. The OnePlus 2 is expected to come with a 16MP autofocus rear camera with a dual-LED flash, 4K video recording, and a 5MP front shooter for selfies.

Connectivity and Battery

In terms of connectivity, the Mi 4 offers 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB OTG, micro-USB 2.0, and A-GPS. The OnePlus 2 will have an upper hand over the Mi 4 as it will boast 4G LTE connectivity alongside the usual options. In addition, it will come with a USB Type-C reversible connector that will eliminate the hassle of plugging the device to a charger. The Xiaomi Mi 4 is powered by a 3,080 mAh battery, while the OnePlus 2 is expected to offer a bigger 3,300 mAh unit.

Conclusion

The Xiaomi Mi 4 is still a compelling smartphone available for around Rs 16,000 via online retailers in India. The device has a full HD display that is suitable for those with small hands, a powerful Snapdragon 801 SoC, meaty RAM and storage, and a large battery. However, the OnePlus 2, which is expected to be priced below Rs 25,000 in India, will offer better specifications over the Mi 4. It will have a larger display, a fingerprint sensor faster than Apple’s TouchID, a powerful Snapdragon 810 processor, better camera features, support for Indian 4G LTE bands, and a bigger battery. So are you going for the Xiaomi Mi 4? Or found the OnePlus 2 be worth waiting? Share in the comments.